German Army CH-53GA Goes Airborne

By Staff Writer | March 1, 2010

Attack, Search and Rescue, Utility

A crowd of more than 150 people witnessed the initial flight of the Eurocopter CH-53GA—the medium lift transport for the German Armed Forces—on Feb. 10 in Donauwörth. Test pilot Rene Nater and flight engineer Antoine Van Gent conducted the first flight under the CH-53GA retrofit program. The helicopter features a number of upgrades, including digital avionics, advanced navigation system, an automatic flight control system and a modular equipment package with FLIR, satcom and electronic warfare system (EWS). Training flights using the CH-53GA are scheduled to commence in early 2011, with deliveries planned later that year. (From March 2010 Rotorcraft Report)